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Originally inhabited by the Waccamaw and Winyah Indians, who called the area “Chicora”, meaning “the land”, the Grand Strand boasts a rich and colorful history leading up to its current status as one of the fastest growing areas of the country. As Europeans arrived, a rich plantation culture developed and flourished, and Georgetown, the state’s third oldest city, became the center of America’s rice empire. Prior to the Civil War, wealthy plantation owners escaped the heat and diseases of the more swampy regions to establish Pawleys Island as one of the first summer resorts on the Atlantic coast.
Situated between the Waccamaw River and the Atlantic Ocean, geography isolated Horry County (oh-ree) from the thriving economy of Georgetown. Farmers, timbermen, and turpentine distillers inhabited the Conway area while the distant beaches were home only to struggling farmers and fishermen. Burroughs and Collins built the first hotel, the Seaside Inn, in 1901, a time when oceanfront lots were selling for $25. Chicago businessman Simeon Chapin purchased property and invested in developing the town in 1912. Golf entered the scene in 1927, with the completion of the Pine Lakes International Country Club, partnered with the Ocean Forest Hotel. The Ocean Forest, with its 300 rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, health club, stables, and crystal chandeliers, remained the center of Myrtle Beach social life for nearly 30 years. The Intracoastal Waterway opened to pleasure boats and commercial shipping in 1936. Named for the wax myrtle trees that grow abundantly throughout the region, Myrtle Beach was incorporated as a town in 1938 and became a city in 1957. The Myrtle Beach Air Force Base was established in the 1940s and used for coastal patrols during World War II. A golf boom began in the 1960’s, culminating in the more than 120 golf courses that currently attract visitors from all over the world. The 1970’s began a period of adding attractions that spurred the rapid growth that continues today. Almost 13 million visitors pass through the Grand Strand every year and thousands establish residency in the area. The Grand Strand offers excellent opportunities for those seeking to establish a coastal lifestyle through the purchase of residential or investment property. Let me help you find the perfect property to meet your needs. Return to Local Information |
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